SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Dexter Fowler is chock-full of cool. He walks in with Jordans on his feet, and a smile smuggled from a toothpaste commercial.

But mention last season, and he simmers.

“I just really want to win. I got (upset) with myself last year, and (upset) with the (guys),” Fowler said Thursday before participating in a voluntary workout. “We all could have done a lot better. We know that.”

Poor pitching has become such a part of the Rockies that it dominates the narrative. Colorado will remain bugs on the windshield in the National League West without more consistency from its rotation. But, as Fowler sees it, the road back from an awful finish starts at the top.

Even after a breakthrough season during which he set career highs in hits, home runs and on-base percentage, Fowler, 26, said he believes he and the offense can be more explosive.

“We need to put pressure on everybody everywhere. On the road, let’s put the pressure on them early. From the first pitch of the game, let’s go. No waiting and taking pitches. Let’s go. Then, it’s 1-0 already. I think that will help our pitchers out,” Fowler said. “I take responsibility. It starts with me.”

Manager Walt Weiss is never going to say he inherited a team that was too comfortable. But passive? That argument can be advanced. Fowler is an example of where Weiss will leave his fingerprints. A productive leadoff hitter, Fowler will be given more freedom to run.

“He has the green light,” said Weiss, repeating it to make his point.

Fowler had that luxury previously, but it was typically limited to pitches early in at-bats. It led to timidity — 37 stolen bases over the past three seasons after stealing 27 as a rookie in 2009.

“The stolen bases are going to increase. I am not even worried about that,” Fowler said. “Talking with Walt, it seems like I am going to be able to go anytime I want. It can be huge. Even the threat of running can help us.”

His career at an intersection, Fowler turned the corner last season. Or more accurately, in the offseason. He arrived in camp at 190 pounds, confident and strong from workouts in Las Vegas with Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Giambi. This offseason, despite traveling and getting married, Fowler followed a similar script. During a week in Paris around New Year’s Eve he hit the gym three times.

He currently weighs 194 pounds after finishing last season at 178, wilted down from the long season.

“I put it on through eating, and working out sooner. I feel awesome,” Fowler said. “When you are tired and weak, you are sitting there thinking that you have to do more just to get by and survive.”

More than ever, Fowler feels like he’s part of the team’s future, something that wasn’t the case in October.

The Rockies weren’t shopping Fowler, but they listened when teams such as the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies called. The Rockies’ high demands — outrageous if you asked opposing GMs — suggested they weren’t serious about moving him. A two-year, $11.6 million deal this week — leaving Fowler with just one arbitration season before free agency — seemed to cement that notion.

“I had a long talk with (general manager) Dan (O’Dowd) about it. I want to be part of the core here and help get us back on track,” Fowler said.

Fowler is trending upward. No National League leadoff hitter reached base more frequently (.389) or had a higher OPS (.863) last season. Despite batting .262 on the road, he still posted a .339 OBP.

“He reminds me of (longtime big-leaguer) Devon White. I think last year was just a sampling of what he’s capable of doing,” hitting instructor Dante Bichette said. “And I like hearing that he’s thinking more aggressively. I love that. Let’s hit.”

On a team where injuries to Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki have been crippling, Fowler has been reliable. Despite missing the final two weeks last year with tendinitis in his left wrist that didn’t heal until late October, Fowler has played more games the last four years than any Rockie.

“Things are a little different (with the contract). There’s a sense of calm. But it’s not about that,” Fowler said. “It’s about what we do on the field. On the field, we are equal. We are a family. All it is about is winning.”

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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